If you want to take a negative approach to yesterday's absolutely thrilling 19-16 win in Philadelphia, maybe you missed the last two minutes. Maybe you had to take a long piss. Maybe you had a craving for Rocky Road with whipped cream and walnuts. Maybe you're more interested in your fantasy team and needed to see how many yards Kenny Watson could ring up against the Jets. Whatever your reason may be, I don't care. Because for the second consecutive week, the quarterback of the Chicago Bears was brilliant at the end of regulation and took HIS team 97 yards into the endzone.
Every great story needs a hook and oh boy did Brian Griese have one. As he was set to begin The Drive 2: Electric Bugaloo, Griese's communication with the sideline evaporated in a Bellichickian twist of fate. Griese didn't panic. Not even close. He called his own plays - perfectly mixing outs to the tight end to stop the clock and underneaths to AP to move the chains. Facing a 3rd and 3 at the Bears 39, Griese completed three perfect passes.
Berrian. 25. Spike. The Skunk. 21. Spike. Moose. 15. Touchdown.
Brian Griese is the quarterback of the Chicago Bears and as much as I loved what he did on the field, I loved what he said after the game even more:
"If we don't win next week, this game means nothing."
Maybe for the team, Brian, sure. But for a fanbase desperate for smart quarterbacking...desperate to believe the guy taking snaps can provide stability at the most unstable position in all of professional sports...desperate for greatness...
Yesterday sure as hell meant something.
#2 BRIANsong said . . .Jeff, I must concur. Griese is proving more and more each week that the Bears have a good QB. He is poised, makes good decisions and doesn't seem to be rattled by much.
As I said in my last post, Grossman's collapse may have been a blessing in disguise. Griese is definitely capable of being our guy while we work on developing another young QB. The guy's only 32...he could potentially hold this position for a while.
October 22, 2007
#3 Bill said . . .I hope its true and drives like yesterday are certainly signs of it. Griese might be the perfect starting quarterback the next three years while the Bears bring somebody along - though I'm not confident in this staff's ability to do so. I wonder what the relationship is between Griese and the two kids. Kyle and Rex are always together.
October 22, 2007
#4 Mike said . . .After a day to glow in the game, I'm more impressed with Griese than before. Not to get carried away, but the guy is more than capable of directing a pro style. point scoring offense. As someone said - there is a very short list of QBs who coudl lead a team 97 yards in less than 2 minutes with no TOs. I don't care what his shortcomings are - the fact that he could do that makes him valuable. I have to admit I expected him to through an INT in that drive. But he was incredibly poised.
We can't dimiss the impact of him calling his own plays. He took responsibility for the whole drive - stayed focused - and the team responded. That was a real pro-bowl type display of quarterbacking.
October 22, 2007
#5 tommy said . . .The Bears won thanks to Brian Griese, Robbie Gould and the ever-presence of Devin Hester on special teams. The defense decided to show up as well.
Needless to say Detroit is a must win.
October 22, 2007
#6 Phillip said . . .Great. great must have win against an Iggles team that appeared to be quite pumped after McNab's TD "drive". Now we know how to run a 2 minute drill. Turn off the headset and keep Turner out of it.
October 22, 2007
#7 Pissed Off said . . .BEAR. DOWN. My laptop was stolen from the bar last night, right after the game, but the win yesterday helped me not feel quite as freaked out as I might have been. If you ask me, I think Bill Belichick stole it.
Early prediction for Detroit: Bears, 34; Detroit: 10.
October 22, 2007
#8 BRIANsong said . . .I sure hope all these predictions of Griese being a poised Bears QB of the future come true. You'd think we had Brady yesterday if you read the comments here. He looked good but his rating still hasnt hit 100, not that rating means shit to me, but a lot of you think its important. Still plenty of corrections needed with this team. I just hope we squeak out of the Lions game with a W, get to .500 and hit the bye. This will let us start fresh at .500 (like being 0-0 to start the year) and get rested and healthy.
What I really dont want to happen is Griese have a game like he did the last time we played the Lions, or I guess I could say like he's played all year with the exception of the 2nd half of GB game and final mins of the Min and Philly games. He has been brutal otherwise. I want a good game, all game from him so we dont have to come on here for two straight weeks and argue about him until the next game. I hate that. I hate the question marks, especially for 2 weeks.
Did Briggs even play yesterday? Not much production from our so called "best LB" as some have annointed him. Ced still needs to find holes but I think the O-line is still getting outplayed for the majority of plays. They usually give the QB just enough time (recently anyways) but at this point, maybe its age, they arent creating holes.
October 22, 2007
#9 Northside Superfan said . . .PO'd...enough. It's a broken record. He's not been anywhere near awful other than the Lions game. He's made mistakes but you continue killing him like you're the attorney for Rex Grossman. As for yesterday, he was good the rest of the game too. No turnovers and BB block from having a TD pass. You act like his good performance actually angers you and it destroys your credibility on this site. As for Briggs, I believe this was the first game he played poorly. One to Urlacher's three or four. I don't agree with Jeff that Briggs is better than Urlacher - though I understand his points and Briggs will make Brian money on the open market - but for you kill him for yesterday once again plays to your discontent. How can any Bears fan not come to this site thrilled today? It's sports, people! Our team won an improbably game with an offensive drive for the ages! No, PO'd, your quarterback didn't do it. But guess what, he's not playing quarterback for your team now.
October 22, 2007
#10 RanndomName said . . .Actually PO'd, if you read my post on the previous page, I said specifically that Griese is "not Manning or Brady" but a good solid QB, which he is.
Anyway, by Bears standards a good solid QB is Tom Brady.
October 22, 2007
#11 Phil from SATX said . . ."Berrian. 25. Spike. The Skunk. 21. Spike. Moose. 15. Touchdown." umm what's the Skunk?
October 22, 2007
#12 Yesterday's News said . . .Tommy, I think you're joking, I'm not - I seriously think Griese on his own could do more with this offense than RT. And that's equal parts props to Griese and darts at RT.
My fervent hope is that this is going to be different than the high after Green Bay followed by a home loss to Vikings. I do think it will be different because these guys are learning about who they are as they go along. I think they were previously able to overlook an opponent despite a losing record. There's obviously no overlooking a team you already lost to. I think lack of tackling execution hurt them big time last week, and it improved this week. There were still some silly strip attempts made which need to be fixed. The offense made no bad mistakes in this game, and I counted only one "should have been INT but wasn't" throw by our hero, BG.
I'm reading now that CB was banged up in the game, resulting in more AP. That's fine. Can we have more RB and wide receiver (esp. Hester) screens? If there is a constant on our O, it's that we do much better in space than inside - we have speed, and one of CB's strengths (and AP too now that I think about it) is when he gets the ball thrown or pitched to him outside - now substitute Hester in that scenario and think what he can do, with his UNPARALLELED field vision and acceleration.
BG needs to continue to adjust his arm with the wideouts and just throw a little farther - all 3 receivers have shown plays that could have been huge gainers/TDs if they were just out in front instead of at or behind the receiver where the smaller DBs can get their hands in and make plays.
Next week, #54 and #55 show up together in the same game. Darwin Walker comes back, thus punishing the O if they decide to double Harris the whole game. T. McBride continues his experience-gathering and improving. Griese continues to be given more and more latitude on offense. Hester continues to learn how to be a wide receiver (not as easy as it looks, huh?). Moose decides that the last two games have rejunvenated his career, he wants more of that, a lot more. Bradley gets in for the benched Berrian and makes OU fans proud. Des Clark sents email reminders that he's part of the offense too, how about some more balls his way - he guarantees to catch all that are thrown anywhere near him. Somebody, anybody, runs the ball. (One prop to CB, I was very impressed by his hustle on the blown Kreutz snap to tackle the defender - maybe he should be on defense!)
Biggest game yet next week. Let's stay pumped.
October 22, 2007
#13 texas bears fan said . . .The skunk=Devin Hester
October 22, 2007
#14 Nicole is CELEBRATING in this blue city said . . .If Griese wasn't kept on the sidelines while teachers pet Rex got all the playing time he might not have been as rusty as he has been, you can't just play sharp after not playing for 2.5 years. If they wanted to play Rex at least give the backup some playing time so when he is needed he doesn't miss a beat, another coaching mistake that costs the whole team.
October 22, 2007
#15 Phil from SATX said . . .Phillip: Sorry about your laptop. I wish someone would steal my 103 degree fever.
Rannom is obviously not a loyal blog reader :)
GO SKUNK GO BEARS!!!!!
October 22, 2007
#16 Pissed Off said . . .texas fan, you speak the truth. We are in the position we are in this year for two reasons - defensive injuries and an inability for the coaching staff to recognize what they had in BG and allowing for a true QB competition, as well as last year's decision never to insert the backup QB no matter how bad the starter was.
I still think that Rex was given the right amount of rope this year before being benched, but we might have an extra win if Griese had had more experience playing with the starters.
I am truly starting to get excited about what we have in BG as a quarterback, thanks Jeff for a great post. There's absolutely no reason to think that BG's going to go down from here, only up (with the only argument being how high is high with his arm). And a QB playing at this level should be sufficient for us. Like others have said, he's only 32 so he has some years left but he has experience and savvy like a coach on the field, and now it looks like he has leadership ability as well.
We can draft a project QB and have time to work him. We can save money on a free agent QB and use it for O-line and a safety. We can establish some momentum on offense which has the chance of carrying over into next year. We can regain TOP and save our defense.
All from some competent QB play. Hallelujah!
October 22, 2007
#17 texas bears fan said . . .Brian, you can take your opinion and you know what. I dont care what you think about my credibility, I think yours is weak, so there. I think you only read what you want to. I want the team to win but I'm going to join the QB conversation like everyone else. If you think he was terrific, your wrong, look at the stats or watch the game. Was he good, yeah, good enough, we won. But he didnt do much until the final drive. If you saw me yesterday you'd know I care, probably more than you do so dont take my passion into debate, shut up.
I did read your post northside, most however still think Griese is God from yesterday. But on the opposite, people can be so tough on the QB in Chicago that Brady would be considered marginal here.
October 22, 2007
#18 beardown1982 said . . .Thanks Phil, the defensive problems can also be traced to the Rexperiment as in the Dallas game the defense was forced to play at a pace that caused injuries due to the numerous turnovers, they were giving more than is possible and the injuries prove it. Lovie nearly drove the team into the ditch and BG may not be a saviour but I think with the 2006 team they might have been 15-1 or gasp 16-0 with BG as last years team was so good that just an average QB could have road that pony to glory. Maybe BG grew into what he might not have been before and this can turn out to be an exciting year for the team and us fans!
October 22, 2007
#19 Mike said . . .Best article yet about the game winning drive yesterday.
http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/10423514
Say what you want about Griese, but from what I've seen, he has looked superior to Rex. I'm not sure how the argument can be made otherwise at this point. He doesn't get flustered when there is a pass rush, he audibles, he prepares on the sideline between series, and when he makes a mistake it doesn't always lead to more mistakes. (it often did with Rex)
Ask yourself this...does Rex lead us on a 97 yard scoring drive yesterday? While calling the plays? Doubtful.
Do I wish he had Rex's arm strength? Of course. And obviously, Griese still has plenty of room for improvement. Fumbled snaps on the goal line CAN'T happen...and his deep balls need to get there sooner when a receiver has two steps on a guy. Still, he seems to be getting steadier with each game...and I hope the progress can continue.
October 22, 2007
#20 BRIANsong said . . .Brian Griese is what he is. A veteran QB with skill limitations but knows the league and how to execute an offense. He's not a star and he certainly isn't the long-term answer. But he is capable of running a simplified offense in effective manner. Something Rex Grossman has never been able to do.
Offseason target???? P.J. Losman at Buffalo.
October 22, 2007
#21 William The Lionhearted said . . .I called him good and then PO'd tells me I'm wrong because he was good. Makes almost too much sense. I don't think we need to continue a week-by-week conversation about the quarterback position. Griese is an efficient if unspectacular quarterback but yesterday he was efficience for 58 minutes and spectacular for 2.
October 22, 2007
#22 Matt said . . .Lions: 84
Bears: 0October 22, 2007
#23 mikebdot said . . .The game wouldnt of had to come to the final 2 minute drill if Griese doesnt fumble a snap on 3rd down inside the 5. Fumbling a snap is terrible, that's basic stuff that should be done every play. I'm not sold on Griese yet.
October 22, 2007
#24 Phil from SATX said . . .Mike: Of the QBs that would possibly be available in the league next year, Losman is near the bottom of the list in terms of "who should we pick up to bring into camp for a good old fashioned competition"? J.P. Losman sucks. I mean, he just plain sucks.
I mean, do you really want this guy leading us next season:http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6781
I can no longer take you even remotely seriously.
October 22, 2007
#25 Ed Hochuli(No not really) said . . .Uh oh, back to QB ratings... If you eliminate BG's first game when he was essentially thrown in on a few days practice for the first time in 2 1/2 years, the last 3 games would average a 95 QB rating... This would place him in the top 10 of quarterbacks.
Works for me. Works for the rest of Chicago as well, who are voting by an 80% pace to give him MVB for that game (I voted Moose, which was really a Most Improved Bear vote). I'm not sure if you'll find anyone outside of this blog's PO'd and Al (plus any true blood relatives of Rex) who think BG's doing anything less than a great job at QB. He'll save our season yet.
October 22, 2007
#26 Gin said . . .Make believe field sound bytes:
from bears Offense : (after a studious Ed Hochuli educates all NFL fans on little known rule) "Hail to the ref."
from bears Offense: (after a Cedric Benson run down and tackle) "Hey guys i think we just found our new Safety."
from a Devin Hester: (after sneaking onto the field) "Which way do I go? Which way do I go, George?"
from Philly's Defense:(after Hester 'sneaks' unto field)" TWENTY-THREE,
TWENTY-THREEEEEE!!!"and finally the best for last
Brian Griese:(after kick lands at Bears 6 yard line) "Not much of a challenge"
ref:"Mistake, make that the 3 yard line"
Brian Griese:"Let's rock."GO BEARS!
October 22, 2007
#27 jdawg said . . .Only reason we won was because the radio shadily "broke" so Turner couldn't call the plays. What a blessing that was. Thanks for trying to cheat Eagles.
I mean, Griese looked great on the last drive, but couldn't score 1 touchdown before that.
Ced Benson sucksOctober 22, 2007
#28 Phil from SATX said . . .I find it very intersting that two completely different QB's are having similar problems fumbling Olin's snaps.
October 22, 2007
#29 Bill said . . .Sorry, missed you, that list would be PO'd, Al and MATT.
I know I don't have to explain this to everyone, but the reason we treat a goal line fumble by Griese differently than one by Rex is CONTEXT - Griese has not shown any historic penchant (at least what little we've seen of him) to fumble - in fact it looks like he has better than average hands given some hard sacks he's taken and still held on to the ball. Unfortunate play but unless he shows a pattern of continued mistakes of this nature it's an isolated, and therefore, meaningless mistake.
October 22, 2007
#30 mikebdot said . . .I can't believe there are STILL arguements about Griese vs Grossman!!
Grossman could not do what Griese did in THE DRIVE. That's not a knock on him - that's credit to Griese.
Yeah - he fumbled a snap. HE MADE UP FOR IT!! He didn't go on to throw 3 INTs and look scared in the pocket.
Griese is a better QB. Seriously, is there anyone who logically can say that Grossman shoudl be playing instead? (A Bear fan, that is.)
October 22, 2007
#31 Phil from SATX said . . .Phil: Griese actually fumbled quite a bit elsewhere. Pretty much all QBs do. They touch the ball every play. It's expected. A fumbled center exchange happens to everyone. But with Olin at center it seems to happen more. Griese has 4 fumbles this season, 1 lost. Grossman had 8 last season with 5 lost. So, Griese is fumbling twice as often, but lost it about as often. I just want to see how the season pans out.
The thing I like about Griese is that he hasn't sucked or even been "poor" enough to say "Man, this sucks, let's put in Grossman again, or even Orton!"
I'm really digging this whole "oh, by the way, our offense hates Ron Turner" comments.
I did see a few things watching the first quarter again at lunch time. On that first 3rd and 6 Berrian was open on his slant route and could have gotten a first down (unless he dropped the ball) but Griese threw to Clark in the flat.
I also saw a play where Alex Brown completely screwed up a play to the right where Westbrook broke his pathetic attempt to "contain" him. Brown went WAY too far to the inside and Westbrook ran easily for 9 yards. It should have been a 1 yard loss.
I noticed Garay in there on the second offensive series. He bull-rushed like crazy, penetrating into the backfield quite a bit on both plays I saw him in there. The second level didn't make the plays, but it was nice to see him move people around.
Kreutz looked awful on at least two running plays. He got moved 2 or 3 yards backwards into Cedric's hole. The nose tackle is jumping into his face and it really rattles him. They need to mess with their cadence a bit, but it seems when they try that Tait or Brown or Miller jump offsides. It's quite sad really. Makes me want to throw things.
October 22, 2007
#32 Al in WI said . . .I don't remember the others, but I know one of those fumbles was him stretching for the first down on the 4th and inches conversion. I don't really count that (although I probably would if it was a running back doing it).
Thanks for the updated commentary from the game, keep it coming. Did Adams play himself out? I remember the play with Brown you're referring to. Our ends really have trouble adjusting to runs - that didn't seem to be the case last year and these are the same ends. So I don't get that.
October 22, 2007
#33 tommy said . . .Honestly this shit amazes me. This Giese is god crap bothers me no doubt. So I'll address them in order:
The retarded arguement that Griese was "rusty," against Detroit the first time around when he single handedly threw the game away. Ok, first off it had not been 2.5 years since he last played Phil. He appeared in 6 games last season including significant time in the final two weeks of the season. Secondly he had a full training camp with 4 preseason games to prepare, and is in his 2nd year with the team. And thirdly, Vinny Testaverde came in off the street and won a game for Carolina with far less practice time then Griese. So that agruement holds no water.
People please, we are 2-2 with Griese as our quarterback. An objective person would note that he's has been just as inconsistant as Rex ever was, several of you just don't want to hold him acountable.
And let me be clear, I want him to do well. I disagree with him as the starter, but that is an issue I have with Smith and Turner. I want him to lead the Bears to victories and play well. Like Po'd I'd even like him to play well in the first half of the game so we don't need to always come from behind.October 22, 2007
#34 mikebdot said . . .Phil (post#11). I wasn't joking. I don't like RT's play calling 75% of the time; maybe more. And they allways make horrible use of the time when little time is left when calls come from upstairs. At least Griese knows to spike it. Also see it as you do for the rest of #11 post. And as for some of the other posts on Griese....I believe his intelligence and poise are greater than his QB skills which are definitely not all pro. It is possible - probable(?) that he will lead the recievers on the longer throws with practice/timing. He didn't get a lot of practice with them before he became the starter.
October 22, 2007
#35 ESPNemy said . . .Phil: Not sure what happened with Adams. I will say this, our D had defenders flying every which way. They were MOVING like they did last season. The only thing that was missing was push from the line.
I honestly think that when Archuleta gains full use of his hand, he will be a much better tackler and thus far better at stopping the run. But that won't help him on passes. Well, it may have helped break up a pass yesterday. There was a play on the sideline just over McBride's head where AA hit a guy on the sideline (one which the Eagles hurried up to run a play on before our staff could look at a replay, and which Fox didn't show a good replay of either). AA might have been able to break that play up with a functioning hand, but I doubt it. It was a great play, thrown to the hole in the cover 2. I will say this though, Mike Brown probably seperates the receiver from the ball.
P.S. I don't think Griese is god, just want to make that clear. I think he is a welcome break from the Rex rollercoaster/media bash-fest. I did notice Grossman on the sideline checking out the film with Griese a few times. The camera men didn't get the memo to remove Grossman from the camera so as to perpetuate the notion that Grossman is disinterested and aloof. The producers create drama. Didn't you know?
October 22, 2007
#36 B.A. Baracus said . . .There's a storm brewing on the Lake Michigan coastline.
Griese looked better than competent. Completing the last drive completely on his own, no help from the sideline, and more importantly no interference from Ron Turner. Griese was sacked only once and threw no picks facing pressure that would have destroyed Rex Grossman.
If Griese can take the next step and get teams to start respecting our offense, teams won't be able to afford kicking the ball away every chance they get. Hester will get more returns and we will score more points. Hey, if Vasher gets healthy and we start to defend the run, we turn right back into the defending NFC Champs. Green Bay is rolling right now, but if we go into the bye week at .500 we're in good shape.
P.S. Can we please find a safety somewhere, I can't take Archuletta much longer.
October 22, 2007
#37 Mike said . . .I agree with Bill. A QB discussion on this blog or anywhere else is pointless. Griese may not be a great QB, but he gives the Bears a better chance to win right now. Griese is not the long term solution, but neither is Rex. Griese can keep the ship afloat while a new QB is developed.
The Bears' chance to win the Superbowl with Rex was last year - that chance is gone. Rex is done in this town and the Bears will never win a Superbowl with him. Rex is destined to be a back up QB for the rest of his career.
Bring on the Lions!!!
October 22, 2007
#38 Zech said . . .The Rex Grossman Fan Club continues to defend a guy who is dead in Chicago. Why? What's the point? Grossman will never play another down for the Bears again barring tragic injury to Brian Griese AND Kyle Orton.
Move on people. The accident scene was cleaned up a few weeks ago. The tow truck removed the vehicle and pulled it to the impound lot.
October 22, 2007
#39 beardown1982 said . . .I'm sick and tired of watching the Bears waste talent that's been there since day one. It's about time! Do the Bears have a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl? I don't think so, but crazier things have happened.
www.chicagosporting.com
October 22, 2007
#40 tommy said . . .I guess we aren't allowed to compliment a QB who led us on a 97 yard TD drive to win the game without annointing him "God".
Gimme a break.
October 22, 2007
#41 Phil from SATX said . . .Al. (post 32}. With regard to Griese/Rex, are you sure you are watching the Chigago Bear games and not some other team with a Bear mascot. However I think both of us might agree that Turner's dipshit calling NEVER helped Rex. There are so many things they could have done to help him from dealing with a jailbreak every snap. The Lovie/RT approach seems to be "we are going to do what we do and keep doing it the same. We have to play better". No shit. Really?
October 22, 2007
#42 Bill said . . .Liked your post, ESPN. Great point about respect for the Bears offense and kicking it away from Hester. The next step is converting TDs, and doing so earlier in the game, when you have a chance to make the rest of the game MUCH easier (generally the game plan of last year).
Also, Mikeb, the AA play you're referring to was actually very well defended, I thought. It's hard to keep in mind sometimes that plays can be well defended and still successful for the offense. Interesting that one article in the Trib defended AA's play as a "return to form" or comeback or something - so I'll look forward to watching again and seeing if I change my mind.
A storm is brewing on the Lake Michigan shoreline... that resonates.
October 22, 2007
#43 Max said . . .Al - please. Really. Who here even came close to saying anything remotely like "Clapton, I mean Griese, is god." We're excited that we have a QB capable of doing something VERY unusual for even the great ones.
Now please read carefully - he is nowhere near close to be anything but an adequate at best QB. But if themedia can fall all over Elway and Favre leading comebacks (and they are clearly two of the best to EVER play the position), isn't Griese doing what he did a big deal?
That's all we're saying.
October 22, 2007
#44 Bill said . . .It was an ugly win, but I will take it. . . a win is a win. . . is a win.
Griese made it happen when he needed to, I just hope he does more of what he did in the last 2 minutes throughout an entire game.
Benson . . . is not good. Im saying it, START A.P.!!!
October 22, 2007
#45 Phil from SATX said . . .Tommy - I agree with your saying that Lovie and Turner never really helped Rex; the play calling put him in bad situations way too often. Griese's expereince helped a lot yeaterday - he didn't get rattled; stuck with a play and even escaped a bit a few times.
All things Rex should be able to do eventually; but as Tommy said, he was forced to deal with jail breaks every passing down, and the lack of running made every down but first a passing down.
Play action on first down several times yeaterday. Did they do that with Rex? Don't recall. Hester and Olsen on offense helps too. All these things and more coudl have been Rex's if he simply avoided throwing so many INTs without enough positives to make up for them.
It's a dead issue though. Right now Griese is better. If he throws 3 INTs against Detroit, he's still better. He's not god, but he's not Rex either.
October 22, 2007
#46 Al in WI said . . .Guys, BG directed 6 scoring drives - which resulted in 5 scores. The 39 yard field goal miss was awful - should have scored there easily. That was on Gould, not on BG. Six times he drove the team and put them in a position for points. None of those were unearned, from turnovers. Problem was, 5 of those times were only field goal tries. But you can't say he was ineffective for 58 minutes, no freaking way.
We barely saw any punts in that game because of the scoring drives/attempts. Next job, turn some of those field goals into 7's.
October 22, 2007
#47 topherized said . . .Bill, I was not refering to you. I was refering to those who had decided to bring my name into it, and/or declare that anyone who didn't agree with Griese getting the nod wasn't a true fan or whatever startolsen was trying to say.
I have complimented Griese, I never said he didn't deserve credit for the drive. If you go back to yesterday's post I gave him several compliments. He deserves a lot of credit for pulling one out of the fire for us. That was great.
He had 300 yards, and didn't throw any ints, and was really calm in that last drive.
I do however think it's fair to say that if he had been better at certain times during the game, we wouldn't have needed that drive. And since it's also fair to say that you can't expect to win too many games like that. He needs to be. Does anyone really agrue that?
October 22, 2007
#48 mikebdot said . . .WOW. the first 3 quarters of that game were pretty non-exciting (i'd say boring... but bears games are never boring).
The 4th quarter, however, was a different story. I go from heart borken to amazed in less than 3 minutes. Although i am not fully a BG believer, he scored some huge points with me the last couple weeks.
Things i like about BG:
1) he's able to handle the pressure, and, thankfully, isn't acting like a total conservative noodle arm (several long passes the last few games)2) he's playing well, and his contract is cheap, so we'll have some money to make moves down the line (this would not have been the case if Rex stepped up).
Is BG the answer to our long standing QB problems... probably not. Can he get this team to the playoffs? i think so. We are just a running game and a Nate Vasher away from becomming a NFC condender. If we can just hobble into a win sunday and kick ass we can rest our guys during the bye week and come out 4-4... then maybe (just maybe) pull off a stunner and win this division.
believe.
--JOctober 22, 2007
#49 Pissed Off said . . .Phil: Griese didn't have to move them as far downfield on the FG drives because of the punts out of bounds and kickoffs to the 30-35 yard line. We had decent field position most of the day. The only touchdown we score comes when we have our worst field position...
I think Griese's radio communication was functioning fine. I think they called a run on the first play and he said "oh, what's that, you're breaking up..."
October 22, 2007
#50 Pissed Off said . . .Too bad you cant throw out BGs Detroit game. We could say he's been real good the whole time otherwise. But thanks to him we are sub .500 instead of above .500. Its a team game but he lost that one. Yes, he's helped us get the Pack game and Philly game. Thanks for the explanation Al, glad to see some people can still be objective and not blind. I dont have the energy to keep bringing people down to earth.
October 22, 2007
#51 Bill said . . .When everyone else stops making it a QB issue, I will follow suit.
October 22, 2007
#52 Bart Start said . . .Phil - great point. I looked it up and was surprised; only 2 punts. Since we had no turnovers, that means all but 2 of our possesions ended in scores or the missed FG. (Actually, 3 possessions, since I think we had the ball to end the half.)
Glass half empty of course is why no TDs until the end. That's a real problem - but we've talked of a couple of reasons (missed snap by Griese or Kruetz, missed block by Bernard "No contract for you!) Berrian.)
Still, the Hester effect led to scoring chances AND kept us ahead in the field position situation. All vital in a close game.
October 22, 2007
#53 Bill said . . .Yep, looks like the Bears will be 6-10 this year
October 22, 2007
#54 mikebdot said . . .By the way, Peter King is among those saying the Eagles did a great job in holding Hester to no return yards. Until we make teams pay for that by scoring TDs, that will be the strategy. Let's say the Bears get two TDs instead of 2 of the FGs. Then they are likely ahead 20-16 and it's Philly trying for the game winning drive instead of us.
October 22, 2007
#55 Bart Start said . . .The good for Griese: Griese has 8 TD passes in 4 games. That would be a 32 TD season. I hope he keeps up the pace. If so, he could have more TD passes than Grossman did last season in 3 less games.
The bad: Unfortunately, he would be on pace for a 24 INT season as well.
I hope he can string together a few games with 1 or less INTs and 2+ TDs. Let's pray it starts with the Lions this week.
October 22, 2007
#56 jeff said . . .Lions 24 Bears 13
October 22, 2007
#57 Phil from SATX said . . .ummm, guys. would it be easier if they just lost so you could add rationality to your mopiness? i ran out of my brother's house screaming when they completed the touchdown pass. but apparently i wasn't supposed to. i was supposed to breathe a sigh of relief and contemplate the quarterback. i - for one - can't give less of a shit about rex grossman anymore. the guy playing quarterback yesterday was great. great. indisputably great. you can say one drive doesn't make a great game and i'll answer with: you're incorrect. yesterday it did. PO'd? griese is why we're sub .500? he's played four games and good enough to win three of them. i think we're sub .500 because our defense was terrible against minnesota, dallas and in the fourth quarter against san diego. griese is responsible for one of four losses...if that makes him the reason we're below .500, then your math sucks dude.
October 22, 2007
#58 mikebdot said . . .PO'd, I'm taking issue with the oft-mentioned "fact" by you and Al that "Griese lost the Detroit game for us." That is bullshit. If you had to name a single culprit for that game, it would be the D, not Griese. Yes, Griese threw a pick 6 at the beginning of the 4th quarter. However, the Bears were still ahead 20-17 at that time. The defense proceeded to give up two consecutive scoring drives of 99 and 62 drives, putting them up 31-20. Griese then mounts an 88 yard drive for a TD to pull within 4. A failed onsides kick results in another Lions TD - up by 10 with 45 seconds left. Game over.
No way was Griese the primary reason we lost that game. No way no how.
October 22, 2007
#59 B.A. Baracus said . . .Jeff: It's the "new math"...
October 22, 2007
#60 Al in WI said . . .PO'd takin' a beating. PO'd may have to team up with Mike to stave off the attacks.
Griese is the best thing the Bears have at Qb right now and may be the least of their worries. The defense and the running game is where the Bears are taking it on the chin.
October 22, 2007
#61 Phil from SATX said . . .Phil, what the fuck? Did you not see the THREE ints, one came back for a td, the other two were inside the 10 yard line. Subtract those plays and we win that game. And again switch names and numbers and you would have blasting Grossman to no end if he had done that. And given some of your other rantings, you likely would have blamed him for not being enough of a leader to inspire the defense to play better.
Again, I'm not the one here trying to attack Griese or start something, but a couple little trolls keep trying to drag me back into it. Phil, are you looking to take credit for Griese's drive yesterday or something? Is that what's going on?October 22, 2007
#62 Pissed Off said . . .Al, D stops either of those 2 drives and we win. Those drives occurred after BG's last pick. Why aren't they the culprit, at least as much as BG? The Bears gave up a record number of points in the 4th quarter - that was the story of the game, not Griese's ups and downs.
And you're wrong about "I would be blasting Grossman for that" - if Grossman had directed comeback TD drives this year, I would have been championing him. He didn't, and he's now irrelevant, because we have learned there's a good QB on the roster. If you can't see that Griese is better 9 ways to Sunday than Rex, than you are delu.... I mean blind. (Sorry Rancid, almost sinned there).
October 22, 2007
#63 Al in WI said . . .I think he might be. Jeff I expected more from you. Aside from your terrible math skills I dont care that you dont care about Rex, I dont either. I'm just pointing out the truth. If BG doesnt lose the game, and we win, we are now 4-3. How does that not make sense??
Anyway, we won the game glad we finally scored when we needed to but all of you saying BG was Great, are you kidding, he threw one TD all game, one good drive. I'm not starting the QB debate, its BG now, fine, I dont care but the reality is he has been BRUTAL most of the time this year. Not to blame him for all of it but you all blamed Rex for all the offensive problems before he got pulled. Stop trying to drag me into this. I'm not going to say HOORRAAYYY BG is the man, we cant lose with him, he's the best. Thats what some of you are doing and it aint happening here. Sorry to disappoint.
October 22, 2007
#64 Pissed Off said . . .I really loved seeing Hester out on the field more playing a traditional reciever role. He caught a huge slant pattern and another underneath route earlier in the big drive. That was the one question I had heading into the year; if he had the hands to make tough catches, and he does. He is starting to look like a guy who could be a Steve Smith type of reciever. Great stuff.
The job Greg Olsen is doing amazing for a rookie. I can't remember a rookie offensive player making this big of an impact for the Bears since A-Train in 2001. I'm very excited to see him continue to improve, and play an even bigger role.
And lastly, Robbie Gould has established himself as the best kicker we've had since Butler, and after another year or two, he'll be the best.October 22, 2007
#65 beardown1982 said . . .You all brought this upon yourselves by blasting Rex. If your going to blame him for every offensive woe all of last year (amid an overall good year) and the first 3 games of this year, I can do the same. Someday it will be proved that Rex is a better QB than Griese but right now veteran leadership is what we need and its helping us. I'm glad for it. I didnt start this debate. I look at the big picture sometimes, is that wrong?
October 22, 2007
#66 Bill said . . .New Bears controversy...apparently, BG is back peddling and now saying that he was getting some of the calls from Pep Hamilton on the sideline during the last drive. (he mouthed the words into Griese) Yesterday, he said that he called all the plays but the TD throw.
So, either A. Griese wasn't completely forthright in his reasoning yesterday. Or B. The Bears were not happy with him spreading their business to the media like that, making Turner look bad. Which one do you guys think it is???
There is always something with this team...I swear.
October 22, 2007
#67 Al in WI said . . .Beardown - I'm not surprised at all. And frankly, I suspect that the Bears want to stop the focus on Griese calling his own plays becasue of the negative implications for Turner.
After all, it was only "one good drive" (sarcasm intended.)
October 22, 2007
#68 NGB said . . .BD'82, my bet is that the team got pissed because so many people are on Turner. Griese is a vet, and I'm sure he could make his own calls. I heard that news during Haugh's chat on chicagosports, and he suggested that is what is happening. As there were several questions revolving around how much better they did without Turner.
It's bothered me the last couple years that the Bears qb's are allowed to audible as much as other teams. Sunday made the case for starting to allow them to do it now.
Btw, I agree with Po'd. I'm just ignoring it now, because I see no point in battling it anymore.October 22, 2007
#69 jeff said . . .Did anyone else notice the giant wrap on Brigg's right hand/wrist? I don't remember seeing it in the first half but it was definatly there in the 3rd quarter.
October 22, 2007
#70 Bill said . . .PO'd...i love you, man. you've been here a long time. and its impossible not to agree with most people on here when they say everything you write, whether about qb, defense, kicker...seems to be a passive aggressive defense of grossman. its just weird.
October 22, 2007
#71 beardown1982 said . . .In the interest of balance and fairness, I woulld say Griese was as responsible or more for the Detroit loss than the defense. Certainly, as responsible or more than Rex was in his games. The difference - you coudl see some upside in sticking with him for a few more games (as I think has been shown.
The question isn't the Bears being 4-3 if Griese didn't lose the game. Let's say he was allowed one bad game in getting back to being a starter. It's not a given that Rex woudl have lost that game, but not unreasonable to think that either.
So it's what has he done since that? And the answer is not enough to get real excited, but enough to still have hope. And it seems he's getting better.
October 22, 2007
#72 B.A. Baracus said . . .Well said Bill...that's exactly how I see it.
October 22, 2007
#73 Pissed Off said . . .If it is proved someday that Grossman is better than Griese, I will be amazed. In fact, even looking down the road with the thought of making that comparison seems grossly premature. Neither QB is ever going to be looked upon as one of the greats to have played the game, so the future comparison seems unecessary other than for purely esoteric purposes.
What has Grossman really done? Oh yeah, he was the QB of a losing SB team in which he played like crap- WOW! Grossman's NFL career started with a spate of injuries. He then had the starting job, played well for 6 to 10 games and then his fundamentals slowly deteriorated over the next 10 games and his confidence is now gone (not to mention the league figured out how to stuff his game). Assuming the Bears don't re-sign him, which seems unlikely, what are teams on the open market really going to pay Grossman next year - and are they even going to consider him to be a starter?
Griese is not the greatest QB ever, but he has been in the league for 10 years - so he must be doing something right. In light of the skill set that Grossman appears to have, he will be lucky to last in the league for 10 total years.
October 22, 2007
#74 mikebdot said . . .Mutual feeling Jeff, I dont try to come off that way. I just call it as I see it and thats how I see it. I'm with Al, I dont have the energy to defend myself anymore with the Rex thing. Its not like what you all think it is with me and the Rex issue but no matter what I do I cant convince you all of that.
October 22, 2007
#75 Big Earl said . . .If you want to make yourself extra sick, watch the play right before the two minute warning in the first half. Griese calls for Hester to go in motion. It looks as though Hester has no clue that's the case. Griese motions to Hester to proceed across the formation since Hester doesn't know what he's doing. Immediately on the snap, Garza and Kreutz both completely whiff on their respective blocks. Olsen is responsible for Kearse? McKie is hit two yards into the backfield as Kreutz, Garza and Tait end the play looking as if they were spectators. Oh my god does our O-line suck. And why the hell is Olsen blocking down on Kearse without any help? That happened on numerous occasions where Kearse was Olsen's responsibility. That's only a good play if the play is going outside, and most were not. There are many plays where Fred Miller is blocking line backers and leaving Olsen to block Kearse. That seems kind of whack to me. Kreutz got murdered out there. So did Garza. Oh to be a fly on the wall at their O-line meetings.
October 22, 2007
#76 B.A. Baracus said . . .Memo to Pissed Off and Al as they continue their 24/7 mental masturbation over Brian Griese vs. Rex Grossman...
"It doesn't matter who wins the race in the Special Olympics because at the end of that race the winner is still a retard."
October 22, 2007
#77 Mike said . . .Mikebdot - Agree with you on the O Line. Although they are a veteran group, they have lost quite a few steps and are not that effective in run blocking. Although I am not a fan of Benson's, I can't lay all the blame on him because the O Line pretty much blows.
October 22, 2007
#78 Nutjob said . . .The offensive line is in bad shape. Blame has to rest with Jerry Angelo on this one. To think he could milk another year out of this unit was foolhardy. It's going to be real tough to find a new right tackle via the draft that can step right in to replace Fred Miller. Ditto a replacement for Ruben Brown. John Tait and Olin Kreutz have seen better days, but for the sake of the Bears hopefully they have a little more gas in the tank. Kreutz hasn't looked nearly the same this season. The Cowboys and Vikings ran right over him.
October 22, 2007
#79 Nutjob said . . .Watching the last drive over and over again the thing that stands out is O-line came up big on that drive and the big diffrence between BG and rex is the TD pass BG was pressured and he step up and made the throw rex would have been sacked on that play end of game. Finnaly it was awesome watching clark knock the shit out of sheppard for the first down
Overall it was a great win
BEAR DOWN
October 22, 2007
#80 Midway Monster said . . .Watching the last drive over and over again the thing that stands out is O-line came up big on that drive and the big diffrence between BG and rex is the TD pass BG was pressured and he step up and made the throw rex would have been sacked on that play end of game. Finnaly it was awesome watching clark knock the shit out of sheppard for the first down
Overall it was a great win
BEAR DOWN
October 22, 2007
#81 mikebdot said . . .man, I am missing all the fun being on the road. Will be back next week!
-- Midway --
(Carmel By The Sea)October 22, 2007
#82 Rancid said . . .Sadly, I think Ruben Brown has been the bright spot on the line. He never stops moving his feet. I've seen Garza, Kreutz and Tait on multiple occasions stop pushing the pile before the play is over, or stand around and point at each other before Benson has been tackled. Miller just plain sucks. That leaves Brown actually looking good. But that's just my opinion. I think Miller would be easy to replace. I can't stand St. Clair but I think he would actually be an improvement. As would any rookie drafted before round 4. Yeah, I think he's that bad.
October 23, 2007
#83 Bill said . . .I quit reading this crap after the first 50 or so posts. I watch a game and a drive that was mamzing. I'm watching the game in a freaking Buffalo bar with everyone looking at me like a moron and when I about trash the place in sheer euphoria. I get back 2 days later I get on this blog and read fucking post after post about fucking Rex vs. BG. Shit people, I'm not reading it.
1. Enough with the "objective" crap. No fan is objective, I hate the "i'm being objective" bullshit.
2. Griese is ADEQUATE. If I can choose between Good Rex and Griese I choose Good Rex every time, but I can't choose Good Rex, he's not always available. Griese is just Griese, and he's always there. I'll take it. I now officially hate myself for commenting on this.
3. We beat Philly and look like we are a team who can beat anyone and also lose to anyone based on heart. If this team gets a fire lit under it this is still going to be a good season.
4. I am working on creating a scrambler that will knock out Griese's helmet mike for every game. Hello 12-4.
October 23, 2007
#84 Bill said . . .More on the helmet going out from ProFootballTalk.com:
"GRIESE FLEW SOLO
Our buddy MDS, who watched Sunday's games while recovering from a moonshine hangover obtained during his trip to PFT headquarters over the weekend, points out that Bears quarterback Brian Griese led the team on an Elway-esque game-winning driving against the Eagles despite not having the ability to hear the plays that the coaching staff wanted him to call.
Which, of course, is a ringing endorsement as to the effectiveness of Chicago offensive coordinator Ron Turner.
But the failure of the connection between sideline and signal-caller raises deeper issues. As Jay Glazer of FOX reported on Sunday, Commissioner Roger Goodell is hearing complaints from owners regarding ongoing shenanigans with the audio connection, and Goodell plans to address the situation during upcoming league meetings. "
October 23, 2007
#85 Anytime said . . .Of course, a day later - after meeting with the coaches - Griese takes it all back and says several plays were called by Turner and relayed via Griese lip reading Peppy.
Yeah - right. Whatever.
October 23, 2007
#86 Anytime said . . .Where does "the skunk" come from?
October 23, 2007
#87 Anytime said . . .Where does "the skunk" come from?
October 23, 2007
#88 mikebdot said . . .Where does "the skunk" come from?
October 23, 2007
#89 Nicole is miserable in this blue city said . . .Anytime: When a momma skunk and a papa skunk love each other very much...
And here:
http://www.dabearsblog.com/2007/10/adam_archuelta_is_our_strong_safety_lovie.php
October 23, 2007
#90 Shady McBears Fan said . . .Anytime: Go back and read the post from October 16th to learn about "Skunk"
October 23, 2007
#91 Megan said . . .Did I really just read about 50 posts about Grossman vs. Griese?
C'mon guys, I think we can drop the debate at this point. Griese is the starting QB until he's either injured or traded.
Anywho, I saw my boy Desmond Clark tonight at work. Man I was excited to see him, but of course I tried to play it cool. "Des?" I said "Heck of a game last night." I wanted to tell him how underrated his catching and blocking skills are both locally and nationally. I wanted to tell him how much I appreciate his team attitude taking Olsen under his wing, and all the hard work he puts in preparation each week. I wanted to hell him how much I enjoyed watching him run through Lito Sheppard to begin "The Drive" last night. But of course all I can muster is a stupid fist pump and a smile. Guess I really DO have a man-crush on #88. He was with his wife/girlfriend, obviously, so I couldn't give him my number. Maybe next time though...
October 23, 2007
Shady,
This brings up a fun topic for all of you..
Who is YOUR secret man crush??
I suppose it should be a Bear...
Enquiring minds...October 23, 2007
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